The Last Soul Among Wolves

I loved this second book in Melissa Caruso’s Echo Archives series of high fantasy. It’s so well written, I felt completely immersed in the story. There are no info dumps here, and the author doesn’t spoon-feed you information, so you have to pay attention to understand the world, the characters, and the plot. I highly recommend reading the books in order, otherwise this might be confusing.Our likable main character Kembral Thorne is a Hound—a powerful member of the guardian’s guild, and also a new mother. That’s such an unusual trait for a lead character in a fantasy story, although it didn’t affect Kembral’s thoughts and actions as much in this story as in the first book. I admire Kembral’s loyalty to her daughter, her friends, and her job, although those priorities are often in conflict.I’m fond of Kembral’s past love interest turned adversary turned girlfriend, Rika Nonesuch, a sassy and extremely talented Cat—a member of the thieves’ guild. Rika’s such a fun character, with many secrets and a long and complicated history with Kembral that we slowly learn about throughout the course of the story. The story was also filled with many colorful side characters, and I love how it was often unclear who could be trusted.This world has layers called Echoes, with each deeper layer becoming an increasingly strange and distorted version of the Prime reality. There are also scheming creatures called Echoes and Empyreans, who reminded me of various dark and scary tales of the fae. We didn’t get to explore the different Echo layers as much in this story as the first, but there is plenty of magic and interference from the Empyreans.The plot, focusing on a murder mystery as well as a complicated web of secrets and deceit, easily held my attention with its twists and turns. I enjoyed the mix of magic, mystery, action, suspense, humor, and a slow-burn Sapphic romance.The audiobook production was excellent, and Moira Quirk’s fantastic narration really contributed to my enjoyment of the story. She’s so much fun to listen to, with good pacing, clear pronunciation, distinctive voices to suit each character, and the ability to convey mood and emotion effectively. The story works very well as an audiobook.This story has a satisfying ending, but I want to know more about these characters and this world, so I am eagerly awaiting Book 3. I recommend this book for fans of epic fantasies involving scheming fae-like beings.Thanks to Orbit Books for providing me with a free advanced review copy of the ebook through NetGalley. I purchased the audiobook, and I volunteered to provide an honest review.

Kembral Thorne hasn't exactly had the quietest of maternity leaves.... two months ago she saved the world, and now she has a sneaking suspicion she's going to be called on again. Her best friend Jaycel Morningray ("Like so many things, it was Jaycel's fault," the book opens) asks her to come to their old neighborhood, where it turns out her childhood friends, many of whom she hasn't seen in nearly twenty years, have gathered for a reading of a will at a magical house. The ever practical Kem is appalled that they'd dabble in the magic that got them here, especially since only one of them will make it out of the house alive per the rules of inheritance. Trying to set worries about her 4-month-old daughter aside, Kem rolls up her sleeves, leaves Emmy with the most interesting babysitter, and partners with her girlfriend Rika (from an opposing guild) to jump several echoes down to figure out how to save her friends.Melissa Caruso approaches the craft of storytelling with intentionality and care. The Last Soul Among Wolves has a lot going on plot and character-wise, and yet it's all essential to the story Caruso gives us here. We have a locked room mystery, except the room isn't totally locked because Kembral has the ability to traverse down the echoes, into the same place but where the rules of Prime (Kem's world) don't all apply. We get an expanded world from book one, seeing more of the guilds and the physical world around them.The most interesting part of Last Soul is the relationship between Kem and Rika. These rivals from different guilds cross each other in book one, and by the end of it have forged a very tentative romantic relationship. Now in book two, they've intertwined in each other's lives outside of work, but haven't yet worked a job together and now have to negotiate a professional partnership alongside their romantic one. It's challenging for two women who are used to projecting the appearance of composure but are messy beneath the facade to navigate their relationship in the face of disaster, and that combination is oh so fun to read. They needle each other, but also care deeply for one another, and ... also don't know how to express that yet.I'm so excited to hear what she has in store for Kem and Rika in book three!

I was intrigued about what kind of story could follow the wild ride that was the first book in this series, and was pleasantly surprised to find this one is a fantasy murder mystery, a mix of genres that seems to be gaining some popularity (or at least I hope it is 😆)Once again we follow Kembral, who this time is tasked to undo a curse set on her childhood friends. But as they gather in a secluded manor, people begin to die, suggesting a murderer might be trying to speed up the curse for their own benefit.I loved coming back to this strange world and seeing the world building expand in this second book.Kembral is very much the self sacrificing hero type but I really enjoy her inner monologue. She’s one part investigator, one part action hero, and one part tired mom, and I love that mix 🤣In contrast, Rika isn’t my favorite character, I preferred their dynamic from the previous book although I think they complement each other well.I enjoyed the investigation more than the resolution of the mystery, but there were definitely some twists I didn’t see coming.Thanks to Orbit for my copy! I expect we’ll get more books in this series, and I'm looking forward to the bizarre adventures that Kembral and Rika will have next time!

Hugely enjoyed this sequel, honestly even more than the first one. Had great fun elements of a locked room mystery while still leaning in hard on world building and relationship building.

Loved it! The first book was a masterpiece, and this one manages to live up to it, being everything that a sequel should be. A mystery that is not as clear cut as it seems, more echoes and schemes, and of course plenty more development of the relationship between Kembral and Rika. Things are never going to be simple for them, especially given Rika's nature, and that Kem named the year, her blood so much more potent than most humans. And given her job and selfless tendencies... yeah ^^Honestly, it's hard to say much, given the nature of the book, but it so well done. It hooks you in and keeps you engrossed easily, the stakes very significant. We get to learn more about Kembral and her friends and their history, more about the echoes and those who inhibit them, and the schemes of those who shouldn't be named. Oh, and the babysitter is just plain awesome.I devoured the book far too quickly, very pleased with how it turned out, and now I have the issue of having to wait for the third book, because I definitely want to see more of them and this world. 5 stars very much deserved, and highly recommended.